St Leger Festival Preview and Tips – Wednesday – Day 1

Irish Stallion Farms EBF Conditions Stakes (Plus 10) (Class 2) (2YO only) (2.00): The manner in which Akhlaaq won his maiden at Salisbury, eventually getting there under hands and heels despite having been very green for much of his journey before making two lengths in the last furlong, entitles him to significant respect here and the form of that race has been boosted by the subsequent successes of the third and fifth. He ought to be hard to beat.

If Dream of Dreams was over whatever was ailing him at York when pulled up in the Gimcrack, then he has the strongest form in the race by a good margin courtesy of his third in the Railway Stakes at the Curragh, when behind the precious and consistent juveniles Meidicane Jack and Peace Envoy. Both have plenty of group form whilst Peace Envoy was well involved in the finish for the Morny afterwards. Ernststravrobloblofeld quicked up nicely to take victory at Yarmouth albeit in a weaker race than any of the front pairing. Battash, the Hamdan Al Maktoum second string, was an impressive winner at Bath on debut considering how green he was early, although the form of that has been exposed in pattern company. He would appreciated a better surface than the one that he got at Ascot when midfield in the Windsor Castle and needs respecting. Mark Johnston’s pairing are entitled to respect with Town Charter the least exposed of them but he had no answer to Mubtasim at Haydock last time and he will need to improve, as will Jacquard, and Lost at Sea will have to be very useful to win this on debut.

Advice: 1 pt win Dream of Dreams (11/4 general)

Owlerton Greyhound Stadium-Sheffield’s Top Night Nursery (Class 2) (2YO only) (2.30): A tight race where none of the field can be discounted properly. Mutawaheb didn’t seem to enjoy dropped back to 6 furlongs at York in a competitive event The maiden winner Andok, here for Richard Fahey, beat a subsequent winner with plenty in hand, and those two are deserving of favouritism. Our Charlie Brown and Notalot, winners last time out, have to be thrown out into the mix.

VIP Premium Vaping & E-Liquids Scarbrough Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) (2yo+) (3.00):Competitive as ever but if Thesme is able to set the same pace that she did in the Nunthrope then it is going to take a hell of an effort to stay with her, let alone claw her back, and she’s racing against a good number of horses whose progression is complete. Of those, Beverley Bullet third and sixth Muthmir and Line of Reason as entitled to respect although both would perhaps prefer to run later in the week on better ground than we’ll get on the first day. Pearl Secret hasn’t managed to land a blow since his fourth in the Temple Stakes but if there’s enough pace on he can be seriously involved. Two young horses that are seriously of interest are Super Sprint second Equimou, and the progressive handicapper Go On Go On Go On, both of who have found a nice opportunity to step into pattern company.

Advice: 1 pt win Thesme (3/1 general)

Clipper Logistics Leger Legends Classified Stakes (Class 5) (3yo+ 0-70) (3.35): A great bit of fun for a great cause, and an open, if not totally appealing betting contest where Hijran is the right favourite but the best jockey in The Race on a fancied horse is Richard Hughes, taking the mount on Bluff Craig, second favourite. This is an easily avoidable contest was far as investing is concerned.

Advice: No bet.

Howcroft Industrial Supplies Handicap (Class 2) (3yo 0-100) (4.10): It should be hard to beat War Glory, second in a good handicap at Chester, although the progressive Roll On Rory has to be respected . Market vibes behind the progressive Shanghai Glory, who was a disappointment last time over C&D but who got up in the last stride over 6 furlongs at Epsom the time beforehand.

Advice: No bet

Story Contracting-Plant, Construction & Rail Conditions Stakes (Class 2) (3yo+) (4.45): Mount Logan disappointed last time at Goodwood but there’s 5lbs between him and Oasis Fantasy and Roger Varian’s charge holds the better form this season, having won a Listed contest at Goodwood before his fourth in the Hardwicke. If he’s able to repeat either of those performances then he should take the beating here with Oasis Fantasy running well this season (and sure to be happy at this trip) but in handicap company. It’s hard to see Windshear making a serious bid but handicap winner Landwade Lad is at least progressive although he still has plenty to find (more than 10lbs) to be involved). Revolutionist has been forced to chase too hard a pace in a big field the last thrice and this smaller field really ought to suit although he does now look exposed.

Advice: 3 pts win Mount Logan (7/4 general)

1stsecuritysolutions.co.uk Handicap (Class 4) (3yo+ 0-85) (5.15): 10 of them are 10’s or shorter, which tells you all you need to know. Town Moor affair for the bookmakers to reclaim losses on the first day but it could be a tough one for the layers if Pea Shooter manages to repeat his fourth in the compensation race for the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon last time. That’s the strongest form in the race and the booking of Silvestre De Sousa indicates confidence behind connections of the 2014 second, even if he has to have the ground at least good or quicker.

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